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Legal Troubles Mount for El-Rufai as ICPC Takes Him into Custody

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The legal challenges facing the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, intensified on Wednesday as he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The anti-graft agency confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai the former Governor of Kaduna state is in our custody as at close of work, Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026,” the statement read. “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”

While the ICPC did not disclose the specific details of the allegations, his detention marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny of his eight-year tenure and follows a recent high-profile arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai’s transfer to ICPC custody comes immediately after he spent two nights with the EFCC over allegations of large-scale corruption and embezzlement. Those allegations stem from a Kaduna State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee report, which indicted his administration for allegedly siphoning approximately ₦432 billion through questionable contracts and money laundering.

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Sources revealed that while the EFCC had granted the former governor administrative bail, the process was derailed under controversial circumstances. The bail conditions reportedly required a Permanent Secretary and a Director in a federal ministry to stand as sureties. However, after one of the proposed sureties—a Permanent Secretary—arrived at the EFCC office to complete the formalities, the agency allegedly hesitated and later declined to proceed.

Further compounding the issue, it was learned that the Permanent Secretary subsequently withdrew from the process, citing alleged threats. This has raised concerns about possible intimidation and interference in the case.

El-Rufai was scheduled to appear before the ICPC on Wednesday for questioning over separate corruption allegations, leading to his transfer to the commission’s custody.

In a parallel legal front, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges, filed under suit number FHC/CR/99/2026, allege that the former governor unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents dated February 16, 2026, the prosecution’s case hinges on comments El-Rufai made during a televised interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026.

In the first count, the former governor is accused of unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, an offense said to be contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count alleges that El-Rufai admitted to knowing individuals involved in the interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies, an offense under Section 27(b) of the same Act.

In the third count, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai and “others still at large” used technical systems to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations leveled against him, describing them as politically motivated “witch-hunts.” However, with the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS all pursuing separate investigations, the former governor now faces an unprecedented multi-agency legal offensive.

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2027: PRP Raises Alarm Over Alleged Hijack of Party Nomination Forms by Kwankwaso

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The Chairman of the PRP Northwest Stakeholders Forum, Abdulkadir Musa Guza, has accused Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of attempting to take control of the nomination tickets of several political parties ahead of 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano, Guza alleged that nomination forms for all 69 elective positions under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) had been purchased by an individual who is not a member of the party.

He claimed that similar actions had also been carried out in more than seven other political parties, describing the development as a threat to democratic practice and internal party democracy.

Guza said the forum was particularly concerned by reports linking Kwankwaso to the exercise, questioning why the former Kano State governor would seek to have the nomination tickets of several political parties under his influence.

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According to him, such actions amount to political deception and could deny genuine party members the opportunity to contest elections on their preferred platforms.

The PRP chieftain described the development as “political robbery” capable of creating confusion, disputes and disorder in the electoral process if left unchecked.

He maintained that the PRP is a party founded on principles and democratic values and would not tolerate any attempt to hijack its internal processes

Guza said the party has many loyal members interested in contesting various elective positions and insisted that their rights must be protected.

He appealed to Kwankwaso to allow political parties to operate independently and democratically, adding that the PRP should be spared from what he described as interference in its affairs.

The chairman warned that the forum would have no option but to seek legal redress should the alleged actions continue.

 

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Breaking:ADC Reaffirms Ibrahim Khalil as 2027 Kano Governorship Candidate, Rejects Alleged Imposition

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Alhaji Suleiman Mambo addressing the press

 

 

The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State has reaffirmed Malam Ibrahim Khalil as the party’s sole and legitimate candidate for the 2027 Kano State governorship election, while strongly rejecting what it described as attempts by external forces to undermine the outcome of the party’s gubernatorial primary election.

The position was made public on Saturday at the Kano Press Centre of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), where senior party figures addressed journalists and accused certain national actors within the party of interfering in the affairs of the Kano chapter.

Speaking on behalf of the Expanded State Interim Leadership Team (ESILT) and other stakeholders, party elder Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo said the Kano chapter remained united behind Ibrahim Khalil and would resist any effort to alter the mandate given to him by party members.

According to the leaders, Khalil emerged victorious during the ADC gubernatorial primaries conducted on May 22, 2026, securing 55,851 votes against his closest rival, who polled 4,000 votes.

“The election was clear and decisive,” the stakeholders said in a position paper addressed to the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark. “There was a winner and there was a loser. The mandate freely given to Malam Ibrahim Khalil by party members must be respected and restored.”

 

The Kano ADC leadership argued that their endorsement of Khalil goes beyond the primary election results, describing it as a strategic decision rooted in Kano’s political significance and unique electoral realities.

They noted that Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most influential political and economic centres, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and that the state’s electoral performance often carries implications for national elections.

According to the stakeholders, Khalil’s influence among Islamic scholars and religious institutions could strengthen the ADC’s prospects across the North-West region and contribute positively to the party’s presidential ambitions in 2027.

They also highlighted what they described as his broad grassroots appeal, claiming he enjoys support across different religious groups, social classes, and demographic categories.

“Khalil enjoys widespread acceptance among women and young people, many of whom regularly follow his radio programmes,” the statement said.

 

The stakeholders further praised Khalil’s longstanding commitment to the ADC, describing him as one of the party’s foundational figures in Kano.

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They credited him with helping establish party structures and ensuring the survival of the ADC during difficult periods, arguing that his loyalty and sacrifices positioned him as the most deserving candidate for the governorship ticket.

The statement also portrayed the Islamic scholar as a unifying figure capable of bringing together various Islamic groups while maintaining cordial relationships with Christian communities across the state.

According to the leaders, such qualities make him a credible alternative to what they called the “corrupt politics” associated with rival political forces.

 

A major focus of the briefing was the alleged interference of Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammed, former Deputy National Chairman (Values and Ethics) of the ADC.

The Kano stakeholders accused her of attempting to influence the conduct and outcome of the state’s primary election, including allegedly instructing the chairman of the election committee not to announce the results.

They further alleged that she had sidelined legitimate party stakeholders in favour of individuals loyal to her interests.

The leaders argued that the ADC constitution does not grant any national officer the authority to arbitrarily direct the affairs of state chapters.

“Being a national officer does not confer the power to dictate the affairs of a local chapter,” the statement declared. “The constitution clearly outlines the responsibilities of each organ of the party, and no provision empowers any deputy national chairman to superintend over state chapters.”

The Kano leadership also maintained that the office previously occupied by Naja’atu Muhammed no longer possesses substantive legal standing following constitutional amendments and decisions reached by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

They described any actions taken under that authority as “unlawful and constitutionally invalid.”

 

Responding to concerns that Ibrahim Khalil may lack the financial resources required for a competitive gubernatorial campaign, the stakeholders pointed to Kano’s political history as evidence that electoral success in the state is not solely determined by wealth.

They cited the victories of former governors such as Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi in 1979, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 1999, and Ibrahim Shekarau in 2003, arguing that each overcame financially stronger opponents through public support and credibility.

“If history teaches us anything, it is that Kano voters have consistently demonstrated a willingness to choose candidates based on character, integrity and principles rather than wealth,” the statement said.

 

The Kano ADC leadership concluded by urging the party’s national leadership to intervene immediately and halt what it described as continued interference in the affairs of the state chapter.

The stakeholders warned that ignoring the will of party members could trigger internal divisions and electoral setbacks, drawing parallels with challenges experienced by the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ahead of the 2011 elections.

They declared that the Kano chapter remains firmly committed to defending Khalil’s mandate and would no longer cooperate with directives linked to the alleged interference.

“The Kano State ADC is firmly resolved that Malam Ibrahim Khalil’s mandate must be respected,” the leaders stated. “We will no longer tolerate interference or cooperate with any assignment connected to these actions, regardless of who issues such directives.”

The statement was signed by former Kano ADC Chairman Alhaji Musa Shu’aibu Ungogo, party elder Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Mabo, and the party’s Administrative Secretary, Dr. Bala M. I. Takai, on behalf of members of the Expanded State Interim Leadership Team and other stakeholders across Kano State.

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EkitiDecides: Gov. Oyebanji Re-elected for Second Tenure

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, has emerged winner with 319,224 votes.

Oyebanji defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,543 vote

Adenike Oladiji, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the result on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

She said Oyebanji satisfied all the requirements in the election and was declared elected.

Giving a breakdown, Oladiji said the election had 988, 251 as total number of registered voters and 384, 949 as the total number of accredited voters across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

She gave the total number of votes cast as 382,109 while the total number of rejected votes was 6,332.

Speaking with journalists after the announcement, Sen. Cyril Fasuyi, the APC Collation Agent, urged other contenders to join the governor in building a prosperous state.

“In every contest there will only be one winner.

” I think there should be that sportsmanship spirit with all of them.

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“I think nobody is a loser; we understand it’s just for everybody to come on board to support the governor in his developmental drive,” he said.

The breakdown of the parties that participated in the election and the votes scored are listed below:

COLLATED RESULTS FOR EKITI 2026 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

1. EMURE LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF EMMANUEL OLUWAFEMI
RESULTS
ADC – 732
APC 14325
PDP – 851

2. EFON LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PRO. SUNDAY OJO
RESULTS
ADC -201
APC 8742
PDP 2051

3. IJERO LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF OLANIRAN AKANNI
RESULTS
ADC 2026
APC 25506
PDP 2479

4. IKERE LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF KEHINDE JAIYEOLA
RESULTS
ADC 245
APC 11116

5. EKITI SOUTH LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF KOLA OLADUNMOYE
RESULTS
ADC 1076
APC 14705
PDP 1800

6. IDO-OSI
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF AKINTUDE. MUTAKUBI
RESULTS
ADC 561
APC 17901
PDP 1449

7. EKITI WEST LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF BOLAJI STEPHEN
RESULTS
ADC 674
APC 28258
PDP 3644

8. ADO LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF TOYE FASIMINRIN
RESULTS
ADC 1054
APC 38026
PDP 3817

9. ILEJEME LG
COLLATION OFFICER – MOGAJI ANTHONY
RESULTS
ADC 578
APC 8984
PDP 1243

10. ISE-ORUN LG
COLLATION OFFICER – DR JOHN ISSA
RESULTS
ADC 365
APC 12908
PDP 1627

11. OYE LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF JIDE POPOOLA
RESULTS
ADC 998
APC 18975
PDP 2891

12. MOBA LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF ADEGBOYEGA SULAIMAN
RESULTS
ADC 994
APC 20500
PDP 1572

13. AYEKIRE GBONYIN LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF OSHO BAMIDELE
RESULTS
ADC 314
APC 17133
PDP 1503

14. IKOLE LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF SADIA FUNMILAYO ADIFALA
RESULTS
ADC 812
APC 26508
PDP 750

15. IREPODUN/IFELODUN LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF MICHAEL ADEYEMI
RESULTS
ADC 511
APC 29278
PDP 2119

16. EKITI WEST LG
COLLATION OFFICER – PROF OLABODE OLATUBOSUN
RESULTS
ADC 1730
APC 26359
PDP 2795

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